Labour gains are astonishing

In just a few weeks Sophie Cook and the Labour Party have succeeded in turning East Worthing and Shoreham into a near-marginal constituency.

Labour increased our share of the vote by an astonishing 20 per cent following the June 8 snap election.

Labour’s vote more than doubled by over 11,000 votes to 20,882. Support for Tory Tim Loughton vote was 25,988 despite a collapse in the UKIP vote. Share of the vote is 48.9 per cent for the Tories (49.5 per cent in 2015) and 39.3 per cent for Labour (19.5 per cent).

Irene Reed, CLP chair, said: “Labour has fought a bold and vigorous election campaign in East Worthing and Shoreham and our candidate Sophie Cook has been a great ambassador for Labour. Turnout was up by around 3,000 voters at 53,117.

“We are still uncertain about the future shape of our national government and this may not become clear for a few days. But we know that locally for the time being we are stuck with a Tory MP who puts his party before the people he serves.

“He has taken voters for granted and the voters have served him notice: the Tory empire is going to come crashing down.

“Whatever happens, Labour will not stand by and see our NHS services being squeezed as waiting lists get ever longer. We will not sit back and allow the Tory-led council in West Sussex to take more services away from vulnerable older people and the disabled. Education cuts must be reversed so that every one of our children can have the best possible start in life.

“East Worthing and Shoreham Labour Party has proved itself to be a strong campaigning force. We will take an active and positive role in defending public services and we want to involve everyone who shares our values of fairness, equality and social justice.